Woman writes heartfelt letter to help cat before dying

Animal shelters can have a hard enough time getting older pets adopted — but one cat in Maryland may have a leg up on the competition, thanks to its previous owner.

Susie the cat, who is about 5 years old, was brought into the Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood two months ago by her late owner's son. He says he couldn't keep Susie after his mother passed. She must have known...because she wrote a heartfelt letter about Susie for her future family.

The two page note reads in part, "Dear Friend, Thank you for adopting my friend, Susie...Susie is afraid of everyone and everything. It took her six to eight months to realize I am her friend ... Susie is unusual but I enjoy her company. I hope you enjoy Susie as much as I have."

Staff at the shelter say it took Susie a while to become comfortable at the facility — but now they've classified her as a "Love Bug" that will stick to you like glue according to her adoption page. The hope is that this note will make it easier for her to find a home.

Here is a gallery showing you someone taking care of 175 cats with leukemia in her house: